Thirty-year-old Bryshere Gray captured national hearts with his role as “Hakeem Lyon” on ‘Empire.’ Now, The Shade Room is running down some facts you probably didn’t know about the actor.
The Actor Reportedly Went To The Same School As Will Smith
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Gray attended Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, the school’s official website asserts that fellow actor Will Smith is a “notable alumni” of the institution.
Smith’s TikTok confirms that the 55-year-old graduated from Overbrook in 1986.
Nonetheless, it’s unclear if Gray was aware of him and Smith walking the same high school halls. However, in 2017, Gray did note that the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ was his favorite TV show while speaking exclusively with US Weekly.
Furthermore, in 2016, Gray detailed the advice he once received from Smith.
“[He tells me] to stay strong, keep the realness, stay truthful to your character, stay truthful to yourself, and keep your family around you,” Gray told PEOPLE at the time.
Additionally, he explained that Smith encouraged him to “Keep God first.”
Bryshere Gray Reportedly Began Rapping At The Age Of 16
According to National Today, Gray began rapping at the age of 16. Furthermore, at the time he was reportedly working at Pizza Hut in Philadelphia.
“I grew up in West Philly with a single mother, working three jobs trying to provide for me and my sister. And not having money and trying to be this artist… it was hard. I just kept at it, and it got me here,” Gray told VIBE at the age of 21 in 2015.
Additionally, Gray explained that he used his first check from Pizza Hut to initially fund his music career.
“I was just tired. I was like, ‘Is this life?’ I just graduated and I started rhyming and really fell in love with it… People loved what I did on stage,” he said. Furthermore, Gray added. “I used my first Pizza Hut check to pay for my music video and I promoted it everywhere on Facebook at crazy hours… I was writing raps at my job, and I got fired. After I got fired, I just really committed to it.”
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A Freestyle Reportedly Landed Him The Role As Hakeem Lyons
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Gray landed the role of Hakeem Lyons on ‘Empire’ through one of his freestyles. He reportedly performed his bars for the show’s co-creator, writer, director, and producer, Lee Daniels.
“I met my manager, Charlie Mack, who is like Will Smith’s best friend, and he gave me the audition,” Gray explained to VIBE in 2015. “I did a video audition for Lee Daniels and he loved it and sent me to L.A. I auditioned [there] with Taraji and Terrence, ’cause they were doing their auditions for Lee, too. We got to do it together.”
Ultimately, Gray explained that he did his “audition scene with Terrence,” and Daniels “loved it, and it was a wrap.”
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The Actor Has Credited Taraji Henson With Teaching Him A Major Life Lesson
While speaking with VIBE, Gray explained that Taraji P. Henson is responsible for teaching him a significant life lesson.
“I learned how to treat a woman from Taraji,” he explained at the time.
Additionally, Gray referred to Terrence Howard as his “big brother.”
“…we hang out outside of set and it’s like a real family,” he explained of his castmates. “Terrence, on the other hand, is like a big brother. We had Christmas at his house. It was good to just really connect and get a different relationship other than Lucius and Hakeem. We call each other on the phone as we’re leaving the set… That’s how we are.”
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In Addition To 'Empire,' Bryshere Gray Has Starred In Four Projects
According to IMDb, outside of the ‘Empire’ series, Gray has starred in four projects. In 2017, Gray played a young Michael Bivins in the limited TV series, ‘The New Edition Story.’ Furthermore, the series chronicled the rise of the R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe.
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In 2018, Gray played the role of “Tyrell” in the film, ‘Honey: Rise Up and Dance.’
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Furthermore, that same year, Gray played the role of “Kholi Styles” in the film ‘Canal Street.’ The film reportedly followed the arrest of a young Black male — Gray’s character – for the murder of a white male. In the movie, the father of Gray’s characters fights diligently for his son’s vindication, per IMDb.
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That same year, Gray also starred as “Marcus Brick” in the film ‘Sprinter.’
